Source: B/FlickrAmid reports that thousands of people downloaded designs for 3D printed guns in the last few days, a United States federal judge in Seattle, Washington, has temporarily blocked the distribution of the blueprints.

U.S. District Judge Robert Lasnik has issued a temporary restraining order interrupting the sale of 3D-printed gun blueprints on the Defense Distributed website, calling the untraceable guns a threat to safety.

"There are 3D printers in public colleges and public spaces and there is the likelihood of potential irreparable harm," he said.

The 3D-printed gun blueprints, which became available online five days earlier than announced, spurred government officials into action in recent days as background checks are not required for purchasing the blueprints and known criminals can easily access them.

Following a recent ruling from the U.S. Justice Department declaring that the blueprints can be made available for download, Defense Distributed, the website offering the plans, released the blueprints for nine different gun designs, days earlier than the previously announced release date of August 1.

As such, eight U.S. states filed suit seeking an emergency ban on the blueprints while 21 attorneys general sent a letter to the U.S. State Department calling for a block of the online plans.

"As the chief law enforcement officers of our states, we believe the settlement terms and proposed rules are deeply dangerous and could have an unprecedented impact on public safety," the letter said. "In addition to helping arm terrorists and transnational criminals, the settlement and proposed rules would provide another path to gun ownership for people who are prohibited by federal and state law from possessing firearms."

"These downloadable guns are unregistered and very difficult to detect, even with metal detectors, and will be available to anyone regardless of age, mental health or criminal history," said Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson.

Another hearing on the matter is scheduled for August 10.